Pupil Premium

Deprivation pupil premium is funding that is based on the number of pupils receiving Free School Meals (FSM). Historically, pupils receiving FSM make slower progress and achieve lower results than those children who do not receive FSM. This is a national issue. The purpose of the deprivation pupil premium is to target support to ‘narrow the gap’. At October 2025, there were 116 pupils eligible for deprivation pupil premium. This equates to 31% of the number on roll. What the academy aims to achieve from the deprivation Pupil Premium funding:

To close any gaps in attainment and progress rates between pupils receiving funding and those who do not and ultimately, to ensure that the attainment and progress rates of pupils receiving deprivation pupil premium funding is at least in line with that of all non-disadvantaged pupils nationally.

All members of staff, Governors and teaching assistants accept responsibility for ‘socially disadvantaged’ pupils and are committed to meeting their pastoral, social and academic needs within the academy environment.

‘Identified Barriers to Achievement for Those Eligible for Deprivation Pupil Premium’ Funding:

• High probability of low aspirations and expectations – limited focus on the importance of a good education
• High probability of narrow experience of life outside of school and locality
• High probability of limited experience of reading and books
• High probability of limited language development
• High probability of low prior attainment
• High probability of disengagement with learning and reluctance to take risks
• High probability of SEN
• High probability of limited concentration and weak behaviours for learning
• High probability of a lack of engagement in home/school learning.
• High probability of involvement in early help and/or social care (TAC/CIN/CP)
• High probability of low participation in wider aspects of school life and other activities beyond school

Nelson Academy is committed to ‘Narrowing the Gap’ between vulnerable pupils and their peers. The deprivation pupil premium forms a vital part of this process. The governors reserve the right to allocate the deprivation pupil premium funding to support any pupils or groups of pupils the school has identified as being socially disadvantaged.

Provision will be made through:

Supporting pupils’ access to education.
Supporting pupils’ access to the curriculum
Alternative support and intervention where appropriate within the academy environment.

Due to the historical demographic of Downham Market, children at Nelson Academy come from a range of families including EAL and Service Families as well as some from more deprived areas of the town. We have some families whose earnings put them just above the threshold for FSM and therefore eligibility for deprivation pupil premium. This means that support purchased with deprivation pupil premium funding may form a proportion of overall school provision rather than funding the role of a particular individual. We strive to ensure that the range of support in place is diverse and robust enough to ensure that all children at Nelson Academy are able to access support as individuals in order to achieve their full potential.

How the impact will be measured:

Nelson Academy have scheduled termly reviews as part of the academy's annual assessment calendar, analysing attainment and progress of children eligible for deprecation pupil premium compared with the national picture for disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged children. At Nelson Academy we also compare the pupil premium group with those that are not eligible to help identify any further trends or barriers.

It is the responsibility of the Governors to monitor, discuss and review the Pupil Premium strategy and the impact it is having for these children. The report is discussed as an agenda item at every Local Governing Body meeting. A copy of the Academy reports can be accessed below and will be updated annually.